Antiseptic finger-moistener.



J. A. SAUBR L a. E. POTTER. ANTISEPTIG FINGER MOISTENER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 30. 1908.

939,098. i PandrNov. 2, 1909.

UNITED sTATns `PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. SAUER, OF BROOKLYN, NEVI YORK, AND GEORGE E. POTTER, OF NE'VARK, NEV JERSEY; SAID FOTTR ASSIGNOR T0 SAID SAUER.

.ANTISEPTIC FINGER-MOISTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

Application filed September 30, 1908. Serial No. 455,453.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN A. Sanna and GEORGE E. POTTER, both citizens of the United States, residing at Brooklyn and Newark, respectively, in the counties of Kings and Essex, respectively, and States of liew York and New Jersey, respectively, have invented certain new and useful lmprovenients in Antiseptic Finger-Meisteners, of which the following is a specification.

lt is a common practice among railroad employees and others in similar employment to inoisten their lingers upon the tongue or lips while handling tickets, transfers, currency and the like, and this manner of moistening the lingers is extremely objectionable for sanitary reasons.

The object of the present invention has been to obviate this necessity by the provision of a novel linger moistener device which can be readily applied to the clothing so as to be always retained in a convenient position for use.

The invention further contemplates a finger moistener provided with a reservoir or sack from which the liquid with which the sponge is moistened is fed to the sponge so as to always retain the same in a moist condition.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a front elevation of a linger moistener embodying the invention, Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the same, Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the finger moistener, the various parts being shown as separated.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The sponge 1.or other absorbent member, is held within a casing and is normally exposed through an opening therein so that the fingers can be readily moistened thereon. In the present instance this casing is formed with a base 2a and a front 2b which is detachably applied to the base and has an opening 3 formed therein through which opening the sponge is exposed. The front 2b is provided with a flange which is received within the base 2 and an annular rib al is pressed outwardly from the front at the base of the flange, the said rib forming a stopto engage the base. A split ring 5 is arranged within the front 2b of the easing and normally engages the interior of the rib et. Crimped portions 6 are formed at diainetrically opposite points in the split ring 5 and these crimped portions are connected by an elastic band 7 of rubber or similar material which extends transversely across the back of the sponge l and holds the same yieldingly in position against the front 2* of the casing.

Arranged within the easing under the sponge or absorbent member l, is a bag 8 which is formed of some flexible and water proof material such as rubber, the mouth of the bag being located at one edge thereof and normally closed by a screw cap 9. An opening l0 is formed in one side of the bag and the liquid contents of the bag are designed to be forced through this opening so as to be absorbed by the sponge as required. rihe elastic strip 7 normally holds the sponge away from the bag 8 and against the front of the casing. However, when the spon e is pressed inwardly by applying either t e fingers or a pencil point thereto, the elastic strip 7 yields and permits the sponge to bear against the bag 8. A small amount of liquid isthereby forced through the opening l0 in the side of the bag so as to be absorbed by the sponge. ln this manner the sponge is automatically supplied with water or other liquid and retained in a moistened condition as long as any liquid remains within the bag. In this connection attention may be directed to the fact that the sponge may either be moistened with water in the usual manner or an anti-septic solution of any desired nature may be utilized for that purpose. lt may also be mentioned that the moistening device may be utilized by school children for moistening the points of their pencils, thereby preventing them from forming the habit of moistening their pencil points upon the tongue. As previously mentioned the moistener is designed to be applied to the clothing so as to be always retained in convenient position for use and for this purpose a pin 1l is shown as applied to the base 2a of the casing.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. In a fingerl moistener the Combination of a easing comprising a base and a cover therefor, said Cover being formed With an opening, an absorbent member arranged within the easing so as to be exposed through the opening, and a flexible bag having an opening in the side thereof arranged Within the. easing beneath said absorbent member, said bag being adapted to contain a quantity of Water, said absorbent member adapted to be placed against said bag to force a small quantity of Water through the opening to said absorbent member.

2. In a finger moistener, the eomblnation of a easing having an opening 1n one side thereof, an absorbent member arrangedr within the easing so as to be exposed through the opening, a ring Within the easing, and an elastic strip carried by the ring and eX- tending across the back of the absorbent member for holding the absorbent member yieldingly against that side of the casing provided with the opening. j

3. In a finger moistener, the Combination of a casing, an absorbent member Within the ,asing, a flexible bag arranged Within the easing and adapted to discharge int-o the absorbent member When pressure is applied thereto, and yielding means for normally prevent-ing the absorbent member from pressing against the bag.

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN A. sauna. [11. 5.] GEORGE E. porren. [L s] IVitnesses Jessie IV. MEEKER, GoRnaN JAMES. 

